Mission
Pender County Schools Social Work Program offers services aimed at enhancing and facilitating the educational process by identifying, addressing, and eliminating barriers to learning. Our goal is to promote wellness and foster student success.
Focus
The School Social Worker tackles a range of issues including:
- Attendance and Truancy
- Advocacy
- Crisis Intervention/Emergency Assistance
- Providing Information and Referrals to Community Agencies
- Outreach
- Addressing School Achievement Issues
- Identifying and Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect
- Supporting Students with Social, Emotional, and Health Issues
- Assisting with Homelessness
The everyday professional conduct of School Social Workers is guided by The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the National Association of Social Work Standards.
School Social Workers
NAME | BASE SCHOOL | SCHOOLS COVERED |
Julia Beall | Topsail Middle | Topsail Middle Topsail High Surf City Middle |
Samantha Carter | Cape Fear Elementary | Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point Elementary |
Ashanti Craine | Pender High | Pender High Cape Fear Middle |
Bridget Cybulski | Topsail High | Topsail High |
Sammy Dorsey | South Topsail Elementary | South Topsail Elementary Topsail Annandale Elementary |
Faith Harper | North Topsail Elementary | North Topsail Elementary Surf City Elementary |
Rebecca McSwain | Heide Trask High | Heide Trask High Cape Fear Middle |
Christa Mobley | Burgaw Middle | Burgaw Middle C.F. Pope Elementary Pender Early College |
Terri Turner | Surf City Middle | Surf City Middle Surf City Elementary |
Department FAQ's
According to the NC Compulsory Attendance Law, what is a lawful/excused absence?
The state describes lawful absences as any of the following: sickness, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointments, court or administrative proceedings when the child is a party to the action, religious observances, and educational opportunities. When this happens, parents should write a note to the child's teacher that includes the child's name, the date(s) of the absence(s) and the reason.
Do school social workers take children away from their parents?
No. School social workers do not remove children from homes. However, as state employees, they are obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services.
It appears that some children in our neighborhood are not attending school. Who can I call?
Concerned citizens may contact the school social worker at the school closest to your home by calling the school directly or visiting the school. You may also contact the PCS Director of Student Services at 910-259-2187